Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 45
Chapter 38 — देवालयनिर्माणफलं
The Merit of Constructing a Temple
कारयेन् मृण्मयं वापि सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते अहन्यहनि यज्ञेन यजतो यन् महाफलम्
kārayen mṛṇmayaṃ vāpi sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate ahanyahani yajñena yajato yan mahāphalam
たとえ土（粘土）だけで（聖なる造作・儀礼の具）を作らせても、あらゆる罪から解放される。日々火供（ヤジュニャ）を修する祭主が得る大いなる果報が、これによっても得られる。
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha, the primary frame of the Agni Purāṇa)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Low-cost expiation and merit practice: commissioning even a simple clay sacred object/structure as a substitute-equivalent to repeated daily yajña in terms of fruit.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Clay-made sacred commission as sin-removal and yajña-equivalent merit","lookup_keywords":["mṛṇmaya","sarva-pāpa","pramuñcati","yajña","mahāphala"],"quick_summary":"Having a sacred item/rite executed even in clay is taught as a powerful prāyaścitta, granting release from sins and yielding merit comparable to performing daily fire-sacrifices."}
Concept: Intention and sacred commissioning (kāraṇa) can function as potent purification; accessible acts can substitute for resource-intensive yajñas in producing spiritual fruit.
Application: For those unable to maintain daily yajña, sponsor/commission a clay image/altar or simple sacred construction with proper worship as an expiatory and merit-generating practice.
Khanda Section: Pūjā-vidhi / Dāna-prāyaścitta (Ritual observances, meritorious acts, and expiation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee commissions a small clay Viṣṇu image or clay altar; a priest performs simple rites beside a modest fire, visually equating the act’s merit with repeated daily yajña.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, earthy tones: artisan shaping a clay arcā, priest with lamp and small homa fire, devotee offering water/flowers; stylized flames and temple motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, clay image on a pedestal with gold-leaf aura; priest performing āratī; symbolic depiction of ‘mahāphala’ as radiant light; rich ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional clarity: steps—clay shaping, drying, placement, simple worship; fine linework, calm domestic setting with a small fire altar.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, workshop scene with potter and patron; adjacent vignette of priest conducting rite; detailed vessels, clay texture, and fire-sacrifice implements."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kārayen = kārayet (final -t before m often written as -n in some recensions); vāpi = vā + api; ahanyahani = ahani + ahani (reduplication/compound).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 38 (dāna-prāyaścitta; mandira/arcā merit)
FAQs
It teaches that an earthen (mṛṇmaya) substitute—i.e., a clay-made ritual implement or sacred object used for worship—can still confer purification, and it equates the merit with the great fruit of performing daily yajña.
It records a practical ritual principle—using accessible materials like clay as valid substitutes—alongside a doctrine of daily sacrificial merit, showing the text’s catalog-like coverage of procedures, alternatives, and results (phala) in worship and expiation.
The verse emphasizes that sincere, regular worship—even with simple clay-made means—can remove accumulated pāpa (sin) and yield the high merit associated with repeated daily sacrifice.